AirCare News: Spring Brings Flooding, Mold, and Other Air Quality Issues

BOSTON, MA (04/22/2010)(readMedia)-- Since much of Southern New England is still recovering from flooding and we know a thing or two about flood cleanup, AirCare offers tips on dealing with unwanted water - Getting rid of it and what happens if you don't.

AirCare is also offering an opportunity to cash in on any flood damage you have had. Win a $100 Home Depot gift card by entering our Flood Photo Contest! If you suddenly have waterfront property, take a picture of your flooded yard or basement and email it to marketing@aircare-services.com, along with your name and address. The homeowner who submits the best photo will receive a $100 Home Depot gift card!

Sump Pump Tips from AirCare

If you live on or near a body of water, have a weak foundation or your property is located in a poor drainage area, you are at high risk for a basement flood or sewage backup and may want to consider buying a sump pump. When purchasing or replacing a sump pump, make sure it has sufficient pumping capacity for the size of your basement. If not, you may want to invest in additional pumps to run simultaneously in the event of basement flooding.

Always have a battery backup in the event of a power failure and make sure you pump the water far away from the house (typically toward the street where the drains are). The next time the forecast calls for heavy rain, test the pump beforehand to make sure it is working properly by pouring buckets of water into the pit until it turns on. Regularly clear the pit of debris that could clog the pump.

April Showers Bring May Flowers...and Mold

New England residents will forever remember the record-breaking rainfall (14.66" in Boston) and epic flooding that occurred across the region. Lakes and rivers overflowed, sewers backed up and yards and streets flooded, causing insurmountable property damage- particularly to residential basements.

If you had water in your basement and didn't dry and treat it properly, be on the lookout for mold. Basements present ideal growing conditions for mold because they are dark, moist, warm and offer a host of food sources, like wood, insulation (wallboard and carpet if basement is finished)-everything a mold spore needs to develop and spread. In an optimum environment like this, mold can grow in as little as 12-48 hours!

Preventing Mold Growth After a Flood

* Extract all standing water

* Remove all wet contents, especially carpets, carpet padding, wet wall board, cardboard boxes, upholstered furniture, and anything else that has absorbed moisture

* Dry the entire effected area thoroughly (using fans and commercial-grade dehumidifiers)

* Treat all surfaces with an anti-microbial agent

Think You've Got Mold?

* If you can see it, contact a Mold Remediation Specialist

* If there is no visible mold, but you smell a musty odor or experience allergy-like symptoms in the effected area, contact an Indoor Air Quality Specialist to conduct a mold test